Any time you see a coach coming off a great season, he always says “That’s the past, we’re worried about this year, one game at a time, that season’s gone, we’re not defending a title” etc., or some such clichés.

For a moment, I’m going to reflect on last year, because it was a once-in-a-lifetime year.

After floating around just a shade under .500 in spread handicapping over the previous four years combined, my record last season was 109-91-1 against the number.

Danny Sheridan, the longtime handicapping guru of USA Today, called this a “spectacular” mark, and that’s all I needed to hear to know it was special when it comes from him.

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It is over, and it is a new season, but I figured this might be my only chance to brag about the amazing year that was 2012.

And now, we can move on. Insert clichés here.

Week 1 is always tough in college, because we have absolutely no idea what these teams are going to look like. We can make educated guesses and play hunches, though, and any time I can be around .500 for the opening week, I am thrilled.

Let’s get it on. As always, these picks are for entertainment purposes only and should not be used in the squandering of your rent money.

FRESNO (minus 10 ½) over Rutgers (Thursday) — Fresno State was like a warm blanket last year, earning me about eight of my 109 wins, and I expect them to do more of the same this year. They will likely lay bigger numbers as they gain more respect, but hey, they were 7-0 as double-digit favorites last season, so bring it on.

Ole Miss (minus-3) over VANDERBILT (Thursday) — Mississippi was an underrated squad last year, and they have a monster joining them in national No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche on the defensive line. He joins 19 returning starters, so even though I respect Vandy and what they’ve done, the Dores have their hands full in this one.

SMU (plus-6) over Texas Tech (Sunday) — I don’t have a great explanation for this, other than the fact perhaps that the Mustangs beat the ever-loving crap out of my boys from Fresno in a bowl game. Seriously, though, June Jones is an experienced coach with a good system playing at home against a new coach (Kliff Kingsbury) with a new quarterback. This is like 80-20 hunch-to-logic ratio.

Northern Illinois (plus-3) over IOWA — If Jordan Lynch has any chance at the Heisman, he needs to have a big game and help knock off Iowa. A one-point loss to the Hawkeyes ruined NIU’s perfect regular season last year.

NEW MEXICO (minus-3 ½) over Texas San Antonio — This is a simple test. You are New Mexico. You have fallen on hard times, sure, but you’re playing at home against a team that is barely Division I. If you cannot win this game, please kindly leave Division I football. Thank you for your cooperation.

LSU (minus-4 ½) over TCU (at Dallas) — It’s our first Admiral Ackbar Special of the year. (IT’S A TRAP!) LSU is probably getting less respect because its entire defense was drafted in the NFL. But here’s hoping there’s more where that came from.

WASHINGTON (minus-3 ½) over Boise State — Again, this is a major hunch, especially since Boise has covered in its opener against a BCS foe four straight years. Not just any BCS foes either – Oregon, Georgia, Virginia Tech and Michigan State. Still, Washington is at home and the Huskies have to peak now under coach Steve Sarkisian, or you can Sarkisian his rear end good bye.

Penn State (minus-8) over Syracuse (at MetLife Stadium) — Somehow, you knew Bill O’Brien would keep the train on the tracks in Happy Valley. He’ll do the same for the New York Jets in 2014.

NORTH TEXAS (minus-15) over Idaho — The Vandals might be the worst team in the country. I’ll probably say that about somebody new each week, but there it is.

OKLAHOMA STATE (minus-12 ½) over Mississippi State — I’m hoping for a big offensive explosion from the Cowboys, who were 6-0 as home favorites last year.

Colorado State (minus-2) over Colorado (Sunday, at Denver) — I just feel like the Rams have their program in better shape right now, with 17 starters back and a stable coaching situation.

Florida State (minus-10) over PITT (Monday) — Welcome to the ACC, Pittsburgh. You won’t find Rutgers or Connecticut here. Seminoles will run wild on national TV, pummeling Tom Savage and the Panthers in the process.

Last year: 109-91-1

YTD: 0-0

— Matthew Osborne is the editor of The Trentonian and a Heisman Trophy voter. Reach him at 609-989-7800, x201 or mosborne@trentonian.com. Follow him on Twitter @trentonianozzy.

About the Author

Matthew Osborne is the editor-in-chief of The Trentonian, where he was the sports editor from 2007-2012. He writes a Heisman Trophy column for Digital First Media and is a voter for the award. Reach the author at mosborne@trentonian.com
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